New measures that will boost fish trade volumes in East Africa have been formulated.
The East African Community (EAC) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures for fish products were developed by experts from regional partner states.
SPS are World Trade Organisation standards that ensure consumers are supplied with safe foods. Fish and fisheries products are part of this.
Responding to the new measures, the EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of the productive and social sector Jesca Eriyo said: “this is in line with Treaty for Establishment of the EAC Article 38 and in tandem with the EAC Common Market Protocol 45(3), on cooperation in Agriculture and Food Security.”
“This calls for an effective mechanism of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, standards and technical regulations within the EAC,”she added.
Preparation
To move forward, experts from all member countries along the value chain are under-going training in Mombasa on how to implement the new measure.
The training is expected to lead to safe trade and increased competitiveness within the region.
NMG
Leave a Reply